Timer for traffic systems



Ebb :tt RTE gw@ www am? March 27, 1934. c. A. sLocK TIMER FOR TRAFFIC SYSTEMS Filed April 24, 1929 u u n.

Patented Mar.` 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIMER FOR TRAFFIC SYSTEMS Carl A. Glock, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Acme Traffic Signal Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application April 24, 1929, Serial No. 357,697

4 Claims. (Cl. 172-239) This invention relates to a timer for a traine Various further objects and advantages of the signal system. present invention will be apparent from ithe An object of the present invention is to provide description of a preferred form of timer embodya timer suitable for use in a street traic system ing the invention. For this purpose there is 5 which timer drum is provided with contacts conhereafter described a preferred form or example 60 nected with speed control devices so arranged of a timer embodying the invention. The dethat the timer drum may be driven at different scription is given in connection with the accomspeeds, each of which may be varied independpanying drawing, in which ently of each of the other intervals of the timers The single figure of the accompanying drawing motion. By a timer drum of this Class, the times is an electrical diagram of the circuits for the 65 during which different streets are held open for local timers and switches for controlling the traiiic may be regulated independently of the same, with the timer drum and switch drums times that other streets are held open and moredeveloped to show the contacts and with the over, the timer allotted to clearance intervals contact lingers placed at the sides of their respecmay be regulated independently. These regulative drums to facilitate tracing the circuit. 70 tions may be effected by the apparatus of the The apparatus as illustrated in the drawing present invention automatically or by local comprises a timer drum and two switches S1 manual control or bya remote central controlling and S2 to be used in connection therewith for station which is intended to control a plurality Connecting the timer drum to this signal appa- Of diffelelli timers lOCeied in different portions ratus at street intersections. Any suitable or 75 of the city. preferred construction of signal apparatus may It is a further object of the present invention be employed for use with the timer. Such signal to so construct the timer drum and provide the apparatus preferably comrises a semaphore arm,

drum with necessary contacts and devices, that a red and green hght, and e, ben, This Signal 011 one time? drum iS lOCated means fOl' enelapparatus is connected to the apparatus illus- 80 gizing semaphores, means for energizing red and trai-,ed in the drawing, es follows;

green lights, means for energizing bells. all COr- Finger F20 is connected with a line leading tc related and pfepelly DOSiiiiOIled 011 the Same an apparatus (not shown) for folding the signals.

timer drum which possesses contacts by which Finger F22 is connected with aline leading to a 30 the motion of the timer drum may be regulated m01601- (not Shown) for moving the semaphore 85 thlOllgl'l JEhe timer Cilllm itself. arms. Finger F24 is connected by a line LT, the It is a further object of the present invention purpose 0f which is hereinafter pointed out.

t0 preVde e SWitChillg I'leClieIl-iSm COIlHeCteCl With Finger F10 connects with a current supply line. the '61111611 drum by WhlCh the drum may be Set Finger F13 connects with line SP, the purpose of so that either only semaphores are operated at which is hereinafter pointed @un Finger F15 90 the intersections or only green and red lights are Connects with line R1, the purpose of which is operated at intersections, or both semaphores and hereinafter pointed out. thelights may be operated at intersections, or The lines Connecting the timers with the siga warning Signal Or aSheI Only OperatesY nal heads connect with the timer as follows 40 It 1s a further obJect of the present invention Contact ngers F41 F42 F43 F49 F50 and F53 95 to provide a timer including a switching drum respectively, ConneC-twith lins Flin AM FNZ which can be moved alternately to two positions GN, RN and B, which unes lead to Sgnalheads to manually regulate the motion of the timer H1, H3, While the unes FE1, AE, PE2 GE RE and drum and thereby the display 0f any One 01 ell 0f B which connect with signal heads H2 and H4 40 such traffic signals, and which can be moved to connect with timer lingers F45, F46, F47, F51 100 another position in which the motion of the timer and F52 and F53, respectively. Lines FL which drum will be automatically maintained, and connect with all of the timer heads are shown which is movable to a further position in which connected into the timer as follows:

,5 the motion of the timer drum may be regulated Line FL connects with nger F31 and line FO 105 from a remote control station and movable into connects with finger F21.

a still further position in which a plurality of The timer includes a drum of which D is a timers may be automatically regulated from the development, said drum surface is normally timers themselves, but in which different timers driven to the right as indicated in the ligure, 55 Will be coordinated or synchronized along a street. and is provided with a plurality of contacts. 1 110 and 2 respectively, indicate coils of a disc type electric motor, for example of the type employed in revolving records on a phonograph. Said motor drives the timer drum. Coils 1 and 2 are arranged to urge the disc of the motor in opposite directions and in the apparatus of this invention, coil 1 is usually continuously energized constant potential during operation to drive the motor so that it constitutes a driving coil, while coil 2 is intermittently energized at a less or equal potential to vary the speed of rotation of the motor or stop the motor by applying a field for bucking the iield generated by the coil 1, so that coil 2 may be considered as a bucking coil or retarding or braking element.

One side of each of the coils is indicated as grounded at 7 and the other sides of the coils are to be connected with positive potential by various switching elements of the apparatus, as hereafter described. 3 indicates a iixed resistor `which is employed certain operations of energizing the bucking coil 2, and 4 indicates a rheostat having a number of switch arms, which is also used in controlling the energy applied to the bucking coil 2.

The apparatus is also indicated as comprising a manually operated switch 5, the purpose of which is to fold the semaphore signals, a thermostat 6 to control the current supply to the flash-- ers, and switch drums Si, S2 and S3.

The switch drums S1 and S2 are shown as separate drums for convenience, but may be one, or mounted upon a single shaft because they are intended to be positioned always in correspond-- ing positions. These switches S1 and S2 are of the manually operated rotor type switches having contacts on drum surface 5, the developments ofwhich are shown. The switch S3 is an independent rotor switch with contacts on its surface.

Now, first considering the switch drum S1. The switch drum S1 is shown as provided with the contacts C1, C1A, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C6, which contacts are intended to engage contact lingers F1 to FG inclusive and F7 to F15 inclusive. In the construction of the switch, the fingers contact with the cams of the switch on only a line of contact and the contact lingers F1 to F6 are aligned on a line parallel to the axis of the cylinder of the switch drum surface S1. Also the contact fingers F7 to F15 are aligned in a line parallel to the other lingers. The two sets of contact lingers operating on the switch drum S1 are normally placed a distance apart on the drum surface, the distance between any two of the lines drawn through the drum surface which are separated by any one of the legends Off, Go, Stop, C, A, or R32 They are indicated at opposite sides of the switch drum in order to clarify the description of the operation of the device.

In practice, the drum surface of the switch is intended to be operated to bring six different positions of the drum surface relative to the lingers. 1n the first of these positions, fingers F1 to F6 are on the line on the drinn at the left of legend Off, while lingers F7 to F15 are on the line to the right of legend Off and in the second position lingers F1 to F6 are on the line to the left of legend Go and the fingers F7 to F15 are on the line to the right of legend Go, etc. The legends indicate the kind of operation to be effected by the apparatus when the switch drum is in respective position. The respective operations accomplished by these different positions will be more fully understood from the hereafter contained description of the operation of the apparatus.

Contact C1 is arranged to connect fingers F1, F2, F7 and F3 together wlrnever the drum of the switch is in either the go, stop, C or A position. Contact C1A connects iingers F1 and F7 when the switch S1 is in R position. Contact C2 connects fingers and F9 when the switch S1 is in 01T position. Contact C3 is connected by a line with contact C1A so that in the R position, lingerA F10 is also connected with lingers F1 and Contact C5 is an L- shaped contact which operates in the go position of the switch S1 to connect lingers F5 and F11 and F12. Contact Cfl operates in the C position to connect ngers F4 and F11. Contact C5 operates in the stop position to connect fingers F6 and F14. Contact CGA connects lingers F12 and F18 in the R position and contact CBB connects lingers F14 and F15 in the R position.

The lingers F15 to F19 on switch S2 are aligned and the fingers F20 and F25 are aligned and these fingers are spaced. apart on the drum the same distance as the iingers of drum S1. The drum S2 has the same six operating positions as the drum S1 and occupies the same relative positions at the same time. This may be accomplished by moiniting the switch druin S2 on the same shaft as the un S1 and the manual positicning of the switch drum may be accomplished by a knob or operating handle on the drum. shaft or any other desired means` IThe surface S2 has contacts C7 to C10 inclusive and ClGA, C1615 and ClC. Cien., C103, CloC operate only in the R position and at said position, the iirst of the-sc contacts connects lingers F20, F21. The second connects lingers F22 and F23 and the third connects lingers F24 and F25. Contacts C7, C8 and C9 operate in all positions, except the ofi and R position to connect respectively fingers F16 and F21, F17 and F23, and F13 and F25. Contact C10 operates in the C and A positions to connect ngers F19 and F25.

The rotor switch S3 has a line of ringer contacts F27 to F31 inclusive. There are provided four cams on the drinn of switch S2, cams C11, C12, C13 and Cle. There `are four positions that this switch is intended to operate, a hash position, an arm position, and arm and ligl'it position and a light position. Legends are provided showing the line of contact of fingers F27 to F31 in these different positions. The word Flash appears at opposite ends of the drum surface since the opposite ends of development of the drum surface in practice constitute a single point.

In the flash position, contact C14 contacts iingers F30, F31. In the arm position contact C11 connects fingers F27, and F23. In the arm and light position contact C12 connects fingers F27, F28 and F29. 1n the light position contact C13 connects nngers F28 and F29.

There is provided a line oi linger contacts F32 to F54 inclusive, operating upon the timer drum D. There are provided on this timer drum, contacts which make connections with diilcrent numbers of the fingers F32 to F54 inclusive, as the timer drum surface is revolved. In order to facilitate an understanding of the operation of the timer drum, dotted lines M, N, O, P are shown through the timer drum and the operations ncrmally performed by the signal when the lines of contact are between any pair of `these lines is indicated by the legends North-South, Stop,

East-West and e"Stop. Thus, between lines M and N the go signals on the north and south streets are displayed, while stop signals are displayed on the east and west streets. When the iingers are between line O and P, the go signals are displayed on east-west streets and the stop signals displayed on north-south streets, and between the other intervals all streets display stop signs. The construction of the cams on the timer drum will be understood from a description of the operation of the apparatus.

When the Contact iingers F1 to F26 of the switches S1 and S2 are on the lines indicated as the A position, the switches Sl and S2 position the apparatus for automatic operation without any coordination with the central station or remote control timer and without coordination with the timers for signals at other crossings on the same street.

In this position positive current supplied to main 10 is therefore imposed upon contact C1 and lingers F1, F7 and F8. The circuits thereby energized will be traced, referring only to the lingers, contacts and devices included in the lines as the numbering of the lines tends only to confuse tracing of the circuits.

F7 being energized to positive potential, motor driving coil 1 is directly energized to ground 7 so that during all time the switch S1 is at the A position, the motor coil 1 is energized at constant potential, thereby tending to drive the drum surface D. Finger F7 also connects with iinger F36 operating on timer drum D, which continually contacts with contact C24 which is-shown as electrically connected with contacts C20, C23, C21, C25, C25, C27 and C28, C29 C30 and C31.

Contacts C25 and C26, C27 and C28 are aligned in position to contact with iinger F37. These contacts 'are respectively disposed in. alignment with the lines M, N, O, P so that at the start of each of the four intervals of the intended operation of the signals, one of the contacts C25, C26, C27 or C28 for a short time energizes finger F37. Finger F37 is connected through resistor 3 to a bucker coil 2, hence to ground 7. Accordingly, at the start of each interval of operation, the motor 1 is slowed down due to the action of the bucking coil 2being energized through resistor 3.

The contacts C25, C26, C27 and C28 thereby regulate, as later pointed out, the time at which the bells are rung and the time that the semaphore motors are energized. Contact C21 during most of the time that the ngers are traveling between lines M and N, contacts with ringer F38 supplying positive potential therefrom to rheostat 4 from whence a circuit may be traced to linger F26 on the switch drum S2 which is connected in the A position through contact C10 with finger F 19 which leads back to the bucking coil 2, hence to ground 7. Accordingly, during most of the time that the fingers on the timer drum are passing from line N to the line M, the bucking coil 2 is energized to slow down the motor 1 and the speed of the motor 1 is under control of the tap on rheostat 4 connected to finger F 38 so that this interval of operation may be lengthened or shortened throughout a wide range, as may bedesired in operation of the signal. It should be noted in this connection the action ofthe timer in slowing motor operation in this portion of the revolution of the timer, does not in any way affect the length of time that the motor will occupy in driving the drum through any of the other intervals of the timer. The Contact C29 is for operation in identically the saine manner as contact C21, except that this contact operates in the eastwest period or while the fingers are moving from line P to O. In said interval or in the major portion thereof, contact C29 energizes iinger F39 to positive potential which leads to its tap on rheostat 4, and hence as before described, back to the bucking coil 2. The breaking action of the bucking coil 2 in the east-west period may therefore be regulated to obtain any desired period of time quite independently of the period of time allotted to the north and south interval.

The contacts C30, C31 are brought into play during the different clearance or all stop intervals of the traffic signal and in those intervals or in part thereof, connect respectively with iingers F40 and F40A which lead to separate taps on the rheostat 4, so that the bucking coil 2 is energized from the rheostat 4, whenever contacts C30 or C31 are covered by either ringer F40 or F40A. The resulting effect is that depending upon the relative positions of the rheostat taps connected to fingers F40 and F40A, the length of the respective clearance intervals may be regulated as desired and this regulation is equally independent of the times allotted to the other intervals of the signals.

Contact F1 being energized to the positive through contact C1 on switch drum S1, energizes iinger F54 which in turn energizes contacts C49, C50, C51, C52 and C53 of the timer drum. Contacts 50, 51, 52 and 53 are shown aligned and positioned at the lines M, N, O, P so that at each change of interval of the timer, there is a short energization of the contact finger F53. Contact iinger F53 through line B, connects with the bells of the signal heads which have their opposite sides grounded, as shown in Figure 3, whereby the bells are rung at the start of each change of interval.

The apparatus of the present invention provides a means vby which the traiiic signals may be regulated either by operating, respectively, green and red lights to indicate traiiic movement and tranic stopping orders for the different streets, or the signals may operate semaphores displaying, for example, legends Go and legends Stop, Or, the signal may operate both the red and green lights and the semaphores.

The signal has a further position of operation where it merely ashes a red light as a warning and is not operating actually as a traiiic regulator.

It is a particular advantage of the apparatus of this invention that there is included a means operating from a common control for regulating the traic movement and traic stopping conditions selectively, either by lights or semaphores. The power required to move the semaphores is relatively small. Accordingly, in the day time, by operating the signal to actuate only the semaphore arms, a great saving of power may be had. At night time, lights are necessary either as sole trailic indicating devices or for at least illuminating the semaphores. Where lights are provided for operating in the day time as signalling elements as well as at night, much more powerful lights are required, consuming a larger amount of current than where the lights are for operation only at night. Where the signal includes lights intended for operation only at night, the lights may be of comparatively small power, using little electric energy.

The operation of the traffic signals in this automatic position of switches S1 and S2 will first be described as it takes place with the switch S3 in the light position or in theposition in 'which red and green lights or other equivalents only are energized.

Contact finger F8 which is energized at positive potential through contract vC1 with switch Sl at the A position, connects with linger F28 of switch S3 which connects through Contact C13," in the light position to fingerV F29 'which' connects with nger F18 through contact C9 of switch drum S2 to linger F25 hence to linger F48 on the timer drum.

Thus, in this position of operation nger F48 is continuously at positive potential. Finger F48 connects with contact C42 continuously during revolution of the timer drum and this contact C42 is continuously connected with contacts C43 to C48 inclusive, whereby in this condition of operation of the apparatus, all of the latter cont'actsv are continuously at positive potential.

4 Starting with the fingers considered as on the drum surface on the line at the right of the drum surface and moving towards the left or the drum surface, in this position, which is inthe center of one clearance interval of the timer,

both ngers F and F52 are energized. As shown in Figure 3, Fingers F50 and F52, respectively, lead to red lights on north-south and east-west streets, so that red lights are displayed in both directions. Just before the line P is reached, ngers F52 falls ofi contact C44 and the red lights east and west are extinguished. Finger F51 contacts with contact C47. When nger F51 is energized, the green east and west lights are energized, indicating that the east and west lane vis open to travel. This condition of the lights continues until line O is reached when finger F51 drops of C47, extinguishing the green lights. Shortly thereafter C44 again contacts F52 to display red lights east and west. While thengers are moving from O to N both streets vhave red lightsA displayed thereto. When the fingers reach line N, ringer F50 falls oit of contact C45 extinguishing the red lights on north-south streets and shortly thereafter, finger F49contacts with C43, energizing the green lights north and south.

'Accordingly while the fingers move from yline N to line M, green lights are displayed north and south' red lights east and west. On reaching line M, nger F49 falls o of contact C43 eX- tinguishing'the green lights and shortly thereafter, ngers F50 again contacts with C45 illuminating the red lights north and south, so that while the fingers pass from line M to line P red lights are displayed in all directions.

It is to be noted that the time hat it takes the timer drum to pass through each oi these diiierent' intervals is all independently regulated and controlled by contacts on the same timer drum so that the length of any one of these intervals may be brought to any desired value without lengthening or shortening'unless desired, any one of the other intervals.

The foregoing' completes the description of the operation of the apparatus on the A position of switches S1 and S2 and light position of switches S3. If it is desired to energize the semaphore arms in place of the lights, the switch S3 isturned to bring in contacts C11 to close F27 to F28. In this position, the red and green' lights will not operate. In thisposition,v however, F8 on switch S1 is energized to positive potential as before describedqandl connects with linger F28 through contacts C11 to linger F27, hence to Vringer F17 on switch S2, through contacts C8 to ringer F23 and hence to finger F44, so that in the arm position of.V the switch S3 and automatic or vA position of switchesSl and S2, nger 'F44 is continuously maintained vat positive potential. Finger F44 continuously contacts with'contact C37 which is connected with contactsC33j C36, C38 and C40, whereby all of thesec'ontacts are continuously energized at positive potential.

Considering now'the ngers moving across the drum D from the right hand to the left hand, the first operationwhich occurs just before the P-line is reachedr corresponding to just before the start oi the go :interval for east and west tralc; Contact C39 moves across ngers F45'and and shortly thereafter ringer F47 contacts with C40. Positive potential is therefore placed on F47. As later pointed out in lthe description of the circuits for the semaphores and'other signals at the crossing, fingers F45 and F47 leading to opposite sides of the-field of the motor driving the semaphore arms and F46 leadsthrough the armature to a ground connection. This energizes through the circuits, the semaphore motor to display the semaphore go" signals on the east-'and west signal and to move the stop semaphore to the concealed position.` The drum continues to travel and the fingers Vdrop off of the cams C40, C39 as it is not necessary to energize the motor continually during the go period,but only at the start of the go period or"for a period of time sufficient to permit the motor to properly rotate the arms into the proper display positions.' The resistor 3 connected with contacts C25 and C28finclusive regulates the time that the motor is operated. The drum 'travels to-bring contact C41 across lingers F46, F47 and C38 in contact with C45. This occurs at the end or just'before the end ofthe east-West go interval. The positive current is now applied throughv F45. 'The motor is energized in the opposite direction, causing thego arm to bepulled'back out 'of the display position. During all of this period of operation, the' northr and south signals are displaying stop"y semaphores which are operated as'laterdescrib'ed. Therefore, while the drum surface passes from the line O to the line N all of the semaphores are displaying stop faces. When the ngers reach the line N on the drum, nger F43 is'broug'nt to positive potential by contact with C36 and fingers F41 and F42 are'fconnected by contact C34. 5 The two north-south heads'I-I'l and H3 have their motor eld connected 'across fingers F41 and F43 and line F42 connects 'through the armature to a ground connection. The lingers travel voff of the cams C36, C34, so that they are now displayed on north and south streets go semaphores and the east and west streets are still displaying stop semaphores. This condition 'continues until'the line M is vreached 'when vContact C33 brings finger 41 to positive potential and 1ingersF43 and F42 are connectedby Contact C35. The motors 'are' reversely energized, the go semaphore moved to the concealed position and the stop semaphore moved to the display position. Therefore, all signals on both north 'and south andl east and west streets are displaying stop signs and4 on all stop or clearance is provided until the fingers reach'the line P, whereupon the operations are repeated.

In the arm and light position of the switch phores and the red and green lights to take place simultaneously, the operations being identical to the operation described separately when switch S3 was on the line position and switch S3 on the arm position.

When switch S3 is moved over to the flasher position, the bells are energized by iinger F1 and contact C49 at the start of each interval, but no other taires place. Finger F30 and ringer F31 although connected together, have no connection with the positive line in the A position of switch S1 and hence, the iiasher does not operate.

When switches S1 and S2 are moved to the position C on timers Tl and T2 the timer signals and heads are coordinated or synchronized at the intersections at which timers T1 and T2 are located.

All of the connections are made in the C position which are made in the A position and identical operations are effected with the additional eiiect which is brought about by the action 'of the contact C4 on the S1 switch. Contact C4 in the C position, connects fingers F4 and F11. Finger F11 is connected with finger F35 which is at positive potential. F4 of timer T1 leads to a finger F4 on timer T2 and on each of the other timers on different street intersections which it is desired to coordinate with the timer T1.

When operating on the coordinate control position, if any timer revolves the lingers on its drum so that its nger F35 contacts with the contact C21 before the corresponding iinger F35 or any of the other timers reach this position, the

motor driving that timer is automatically stopped and held stopped until the last timer has is iinger moved into contact with its contact C21. Thus, once during each revolution of all of the timers connected in coordination, they are started off at the same period in their cycle, with the result' that their operations are caused to take place practically simultaneously. In order to understand the circuits for this operation, we still assume that the second timer on the street reaches the contact C21 before the first or upper timer Tl, in such a case a circuit may be traced as follows:

Positive current is taken from upper nger F2 through contact C1 of switch S1 to iinger F7, hence to ringer F36 and hence to contact C23. Since finger F35 has not reached contact C21 but is still on C23, finger F35 is at positive potential, rendering finger F11 on switch S1 at positiveA potential, which through the contact C4 energizes nger F4, which through the coordinate control line CO energizes the finger F4 on the switch S1 of the lower timer, which through contact C4 energizes the iinger F11, of that switch which is connected with finger F35 on the lower timer and which finger F35 it is assumed is in contact with contact C21.

Hence, contact C21 is at positive potential, contact C15 energizes iinger F32 at positive potential and current is applied through the bucking or braking coil 2 to ground. The potential applied through this circuit on this coil is equal to that applied to the other coil l of the lower timer motor, hence this motor is brought to a stop and will remain at a stop until the iinger F35 on the upper timer drops off the contact C23 and until each and every other timer on the street also drops its finger F35 off of this contact.

The switch S3 provides a means by which under this coordinate control, semaphores only may be operated or red and green lights only may be operated or both red and green lights and semaphores may be operated. Moreover, it will be observed that on some streets, semaphore arms may be operated and on other streets, only lights may be operated, but they may be coordinated together.

The positions indicated at stop and go positions on the switches Sl and S2 are for manual regulation of the time intervals that the respective streets are open for traiiic. Considering iirst the operations taking place with the switch set on thev go position. In this position all of the contacts made in the automatic position are made except that on the switch drum S2 the contact C10 does not connect ngers F19 and F26 so that the circuits to the bucking coil 2 otherwise closed through the rheostat 4, are open and contacts C30, C31, C21 and C29 do not operate to slow down the motor which drives the timer drum. ln place, the timer drum is brought to a stop at approximately the end of each go period by circuits as traced as follows:

Finger F5 through contact C5 places potential on both ngers F11 and F12. Fingers F11 and F12 are respectively connected to fingers F35 and F34 on the timer drum. When finger F34 contacts with C19 or when finger F35 contacts with C21 on the timer drum, whichever event occurs nrst, positive current is placed on contact C15 to linger F33 and hence to the bucking coil 2 to ground 7. It will be observed that the potential placed on the bucking coil is in this case equal to that placed on the coil 1. The result is that the motor is stopped. It will therefore be seen that whenever the switches S1 and S2 are set upon the go position, the timer drum is stopped on one of the go intervals, depending upon which contact C21 or C29 is first brought in contact with fingers F34 or F35. These contacts are shown located close to the end of the go intervals of the timer so that immediately after the switches S1 and S2 are, rotated from the go position, the timer can then move to quickly change the signals to the next stop or clearance period. The go position on the switches Sl and S2 is intended to operate in connection with the stop positions. In the stop position of switches S1 and S2, the return from rheostat 4 is likewise broken, so that the motor 1 drives the timer at maximum speed, except as timer is stopped by the following operations.

In the stop position, iinger F6 on switch S1 is connected through cam C6 with finger F14 which connects with the finger F32 on the timer drum. This finger F32 is in position to contact with either contact C16 or C17, which contacts are located in the clearance intervals of the timer or in the all stop periods.

Accordingly, when either of these contacts touch finger F32 after the switch has been thrown to the stop position, the next contact C16 or C17 which touches finger F32 will energize contact C15, ringer F33 and bucking coil 2 of the timer motor. As before, the bucking coil 2 of the timer motor is energized at full positive potential, completely neutralizing the effect of oil 1 and the motor stops. The motor is held stopped until it is manually started again by moving the switches S1 and S2 off the stop position. It will be seen that by throwing the switches S1 and S2 first to the go position and then to the stop position, the intervals may be changed ico ' at thev end of the north and south go interval. 'Ihectimer will stay in this position until the y.twitch isagainautomatically changed to stop manuallyin the following way. Assuming that the'timer is onthe line at the right of the igure o andthe switches are thrown to the stop posiv tion, thetimer will be held at this interval untilfit is moved off the stop position. By moving. lswitches S1,. S2 to the got position, thetimer will operate to change the signals and and be held stopped at this go interval, until the ingerf F32 .contactswith contact C17 and again the motor will stopand an all stop period will vloe created untilja .further manual vshift of the switches is eilected. ..By the switching Vof the ytimer to :the go position, the timer will turn and. move again until contactV C19 touches iinger F34, where it. will again be stopped, this time position, whereupon the timer will traveluntil thecontact vC16 engages theuiinger F32, where itagain-stopsat an allfstop or clearance invr.tervaL andthesame. variety of 4clfraracters of operations can be. effected zas. isiefected when thetimer is vworking automatically, the .only .differe,ncebeing that theV time that .the diiierentsignals are displayedis dependent now upon the wish of the .party manually operatingV the signal, rather that :upon the ,automatic timer.

' The contact C18-y mightengage thefingerFSZ in operating the signal on thefstop` period and stop the signal. on ,one4 of the go periods, if the rswitches S1 yand ,S2 are. thrown at-the proper times-to the Vstop position to effect this result, `but this contact "does not interfere with the practical manual operation'of the switch, in the series of `operating steps described. The contactiClS is located ,in alignment withcont cts-,C16 and C17 for certain otherpurposes and not to operate in thisphase .of the operation vof,the,,.a. 1. oparatus. vIt will be noted thatcontacts C25, C26, C27 and C28 areenergizedat both the .,gofand -stop positions of kswitches S1 andS2, so that they operate as before through .resistor 3 toislow the timer motor in its travel over these contacts sufiiciently to give.thedesiredtiine of motion of the motors driving the semaphore arms.

,When switchesSl and S2 are positioned in the olf positionnger F7 is no longer energized so that the timer -motoris not energized andthe timer drum ceases to move. .Finger F3. connects with contact .C2 ,and .finger F9 which leads to contactF30. y:It switch S3 is inany position eX- ceptthe .ilasheimpositiomVV no operation is effected bythe signalwhenswitches vS1 and S2 are in the oif position. In the flasher position, iinger F30 lconnects throughcontact C14 withnger F3lto,energize through the thermostat to line FL which leadsto the automatic flashers provided on the heads to continually flash a red light. The purpose of this operation is to use the traflicsignal as ladanger signal when.` it is-not operating for regulating .trafficl vWhen switches S1 and S2 are positioned inthe R position, the timer is intended Vto be operated by' .theremotecontrol .timer on central station,

This timer provides six lead wires to the switches S1 and S2, the purpose of which is to control the operation of the signals automatically from the distantly located central station and to change the intervals of traflic regulation automatically fromthe central station in accordance with'the setup that may he imposed on the signals at that point. When a plurality of streets are provided with timers similar to the timer illustrated in the figure and similarly connected with the corresponding six wires from the central timer, all of the signals may be operated together from the central station.

Of the wires leading from the central station, onewire P is always energized at a positive potential and connects with finger F10. In the remote control position, ringer F connects with contact C3 which is electrically connected with contact C1A on switch S1 which connects with `finger F7 to apply continuously a potential to l! motorcoil 1 so that the motor coil 1 continually urges the timerdrum into motion. This connection willY cause contacts C25, C26, C27 and C28 .to energize the bucking-coil 2 through resistor 3 as in theprevious operations, wheneverone4 of those contacts hits finger F37, so that even when operating undercontrol from a remote control or central station, the timerfadjusts the speed of the timer drums travel at the start of each interval tocorrespond with that desired. in operating thesemaphore motors.

.The other timerv drum contacts venerg-ized by nger F36 have no effect because C10 in the.y remote control position, no longer connects Afingers F19 and F26 and therefore rheostat 4 is not connected back to the bucking coil 2. Wire SP from the central Astation connects with finger F13, hence by contact CGA'connects with finger F12 which leads to contact F34. Whenever energyl is passed over line SP, in the remote control position of switches S1, S2, the timer motor will be stopped whenever contact C19 engages the nger .34 to. complete a circuit through the bucking coil` 2. Aline R1 is provided from the central controlling station.

The line-Rl connects with iinger F15.lwhich in the remote control position through contactCGB connects with .ringer F14 on the switch drum, which finger is connected lwith fmger-F32 onthe timerdrum so that whenever the saidzwire-Rris energized, the timer will be stopped onfeach of thecontacts C16, C17 and C18, whenever one of these contacts engages fingerF32, since a circuit isthen` completed through C and F33 vto the bucking or braking coil 2.

ln operation, therefore, from the central station by applying'either by'an automatic timing of a switch or by a manual controlled timing switch, current "tolines SP and Rl, the. motion of the timercan be controlled. For example, considering rst the fingers of the timer on the right hand position, the timer will `oe held with finger F32 or contact C16, provided energy is imposed online R1 to inger F15. v'lhisfwill maintain the signals at all stop or clearance positions. When it is desired to terminate this interval, the current suppliedto iinger F14 may be interrupted in the central .station andthe motor will then drive .the timer ahead. The current shouldfhe immediately reimposed on finger F15, in order to catch the timer drum again onfcontact C18 which will hold the timer at the end of the east and west go interval until it is again desired to permit the timer-toi change to the clearance interval. Then by opening theline R1 at the central station, the

timer motor will again drive the timer ahead and the line R1 to'. linger F15 may be again closed to stop the timer on contact C17 or at the olea-rance interval. When the desired clearance interval has been created from the central station, the current through linger F15 may be broken, where upon the motor will drive the timer until finger F34 contacts with C15.

The motor will again he stopped and a desired go interval or north and south traffic may be provided until at the central station, the current supplied to line SP is broken, whereupon the timer will again travel until contact C16 again. contacts with F13, the operations 1oeing continued as hefore. .All of the control. of the change oi intel vals might be effected by breaking current at desired intervals over a single line, such as line Fl5. by positioning the contact C19 in alignment with contacts C16, C17 .and C19 if desired, but in such a case there would be no means provided at the central station for determining which interval of the signal was being operated and the times desired for the go intervals might be imposing upon the stop intervals. It will be noted that Toy having the contact C19 engage a diiierent wire than the other contacts, the signal can be denN nitely started in a desired position as follows:

The line R1 leading to finger 15 is open current is supplied to line SP leading to finger 13, until it is certain that the motor driving the timer drum has had suicient time to have brought contact C19 in engagement with 'finger F34. it will then be known at the central station that the signals are positioned at the go interval north and south and further automatic control or" the signals may be then ei'ected through manually switching or otherwise properly interrupting and establishing the current supply to lingers F13 and F15.

Line AM leading from the timer to iinger F22 on switch S2 is always energized at positive potential when it is desired to have the remote control of the signals from the central stations actuate the semaphore of the signals. In this case, positive potential is placed from ringer to contact ClOB, hence to finger F23 to iinger F44, energizing the contact C37 on timer drum, which actua-tes the semaphore motor during the diierent motions of the timer drum D -precisely as de scrioed in connection with the motion oi the drum when the switches Sl and S2 are on the A or C positions, except that the time between changes in position of the semaphore arms now varied and eiected hy the remote control than by motion of the local timing contacts.

Line LT leading from central stations is always energized at positive potential when it is to operate the red and green lights of the signal. In such a case, finger F24 through contact ClcC energizes linger F25 and hence finger F43 and contacts C42 and connected contacts on the timer drum D. The green and red lights are therefore lit and extinguished during the revolution ci the timer drum D in the same sequences of operations as described when the timer drum is revolving under control of the local timer. It will he obm served that either the lights or the seinaphores separately may he used when the signals are workn ing from the remote control station, or both the `semapl'lores and arms may be used together. It will also be observed that the bells are operated to each change of interval, since positive current is applied from linger F10 through contact C3 to Contact C1A to ringer F1 and hence to ringer F54 and contacts C49, C50, C51, C52 and C53 to finger F53 and to the line B leading to the bells of the signals.

The further line Fi) leading from the central station control is 'for the purpose of automati cally folding up the arms oi the signal when it is desired to shut down the signals, and to shut down central stations. In this case, positive potential is applied to the line FO and hence by way of finger F20 on switch ,S2 .to contact 010A to finger F21 and hence to line FO leading to the folding magnets of the heads.

A switch 5 is located in the local timer for connecting ringer F16 to F17 so that positive current may be applied in any of the go, "stop, "C cr A positions of the switches S1 to fold the semaphores both downwardly when it desired to shut down the signal. The circuit for this operation may be traced as follows:

Positive current is taken from finger F2 to contact C1 on switch l, hence to ringer F8 to linger F28 on switch S3. When switch S3 is either in the arm or arm and light position, positive current is imposed on linger F27, hence to switch 5 and linger F16, through contact C7 on switch S2, to a finger F21 which is connected with the wire FO which leads to the signal head folding magnets.

While the particular form of the invention herein described is well adapted to carry out the objects or the present invention, it is understood that various inodiiications and changes may be made without departing from the principles oi the invention, and the invention includes all such changes and modiications as come Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A timer comprising a contact drum, motor means for driving the drum, said motor means including a coil for normally driving the motor, and a retarding coil which, when energized, retards the motion oi the motor, contacts for the drum positioned to be closed during different intervals of the motion of the drum, and a rheostat connected with said retarding coil and said contacts to effect different speeds of the motor during diierent increments or the cycle of the drum.

2. A timer comprising a contact drum, motor means for driving the drum, said motor means including a coil for normally driving the motor, and a retarding coil which, when energized, retards the motion of the motor, contacts for the drum positioned to be closed during different intervals of the motion of the drum, and a rheostat connected with said retarding coil and said contacts to eiiect diierent speeds of the motor during different increments of the cycle of the drum, and contact means on said drum connected with said rheostat operated to reduce the speed of the drum a predetermined amount at the start of each of its dierent intended increments of motion.

3. A timer comprising a contact drum, motor means for driving the drum, said motor including a winding for normally driving the drum and an opposed winding which, when energized, retards the motion of the drum, rheostatic speed control means connected with said retarding winding, contacts on the drum connected with said rheostat, said rheostat including separate adjustment means connected with individual contacts on the drum and capable of progressive adjustment to progressively and independently adjust the speed of the motor when each individual Contact of the drum is engaged.

tions of the cycle of the drum whereby different portions of increments of the drums motion may take place at different speeds, and whereby said speeds are regulatable independently of each other.

CARL A. GLOCK. 

